LouisianaOversize & overweight permits.

Over 232,000 lb, ask at least four to six weeks before the move so DOTD can finish structural evaluations; high volume or long routes can push it past six weeks.

• In LaGeaux, give all dimensions, gross and per-axle weights, axle spacings, tires per axle, tire sizes and tire centerline spacing, plus your route
• If rail or water could substantially shorten the highway trip but can't take the load, send written proof of the impediment from that facility
• Over 254,000 lb: ton-mile fees plus a structural evaluation fee of $187.50, $750 or $1,275 depending on bridge type
• Over 900,000 lb: an independent engineering firm may need to analyze the move

DOTD's permit page says that, due to high volume, super-loads may take up to 6–8 weeks and route approvals up to 2–4 business days.

Before DOTD issues a permit over 18′ high, contact each DOTD District Office on the route for its procedure.

• Give districts and utilities 4 working days' notice for a free route survey and cost estimate
• The district assigns a District Authorization Number; get clearance from each utility with lines over the route
• Pay in advance for moving lines that were installed at the required height
• Bucket trucks are required

Over 18′ wide, a DOTD district representative may need to approve or accompany the load, and front and rear State Police escorts are required.

• Get parish, city, utility and private-property authorizations before applying
• Give the nearest railroad station agent advance notice for crossings

Moves through metro areas may need city or parish police escorts or local permits. The hauler must contact city and parish authorities.

On LA 1 south of Leeville, loads up to 18′ wide and 16′5″ high use the tolling lane. Loads 18′–23′ wide or 16′5″–23′ high run counter-flow in the northbound lane with the required private escort.

State Police escorts are required over 16′ wide or over 125′ long, on all state highways. Arrange them through the Troop nearest the move.

• Over 18′ wide: front and rear State Police escorts
• Over 18′ high: front and rear State Police escorts may be required
• Metro areas may require city or parish police escorts or local permits

A pilot car with a height pole runs in front of the load. If the load also needs an escort for size on a multi-lane highway, a second escort without a pole runs behind.

• Over 15′10″ high: height-indicator pole truck in front on state-maintained highways; Interstate-only moves are exempt
• Over 16′8″: the pole truck must be able to lift utility lines safely
• Over 18′: bucket trucks; DOTD may require them lower in metro areas or where lines are dense

Pilot cars ride behind wide loads on multi-lane highways and in front of them on two-lane highways. They ride behind long loads on all highways.

• One pilot car may escort two overlength loads but only one overwidth load
• Escorted loads never exceed 55 mph, or any lower limit DOTD sets
• At bridges, hills and inclines you can't see past, the load parks while the escort crosses and holds oncoming traffic
• Escorts pass through DOTD weigh stations with the load

Every private pilot car needs a $10 Louisiana Escort Vehicle Permit (expires each Dec. 31) and $500,000 each in general liability, motor vehicle and workers' comp coverage. Equipment:

• Amber 360° light(s), lens base at least 60″ off the road; bar or strobe lights accepted
• Two 18″ red or fluorescent orange flags on a roof mast at 40–70°
• Door signs with the company name and address (or name, city, state and phone, or a well-known logo), a mirror on each side and radio contact with the load
• 10-lb fire extinguisher, three or more 15-minute flares and two hand flags
• Closed vans, buses, campers, motor homes and motorcycles can't escort; no towing while escorting

Flags must be red or fluorescent orange and at least 18″ square:

• Over legal width: four flags at the front and rear edges of the widest points (one rear flag if the load sticks out on one side only)
• Over legal length or more than 4′ rear overhang: one flag at the extreme rear, or two if the overhang is wider than 2′, unless it clears the pavement by 6′

Over 10′ wide, put OVERSIZE LOAD signs on the front of the vehicle and the rear of the load.

• Over legal length or rear overhang: signs on the sides of the overhang (or the vehicle)
• Over legal front overhang: one sign on the front, unless it clears the pavement by 6′
• Signs at least 7′ long and 18″ high, black 10″ letters (1½″ stroke) on yellow
• WIDE LOAD signs are not accepted

A load allowed to move at night or in bad weather needs extra lights, visible 500′ and approved by DPS:

• Overwidth: two amber lights at the front edges and two red lights at the rear edges of the wide part
• Overlength or rear overhang over 4′: a red light on each side at the extreme rear, plus red lights and reflectors on the rear marking its width

The driver, or the escort driver, must carry the permit on paper or electronically and show it on demand to police or DOTD. It is not transferable.

Before any permit is issued, upload a certificate for at least $100,000 auto liability on trucks and trailers to your LaGeaux account. Mail, fax and email aren't accepted.

• Off-road units need general liability only
• For an overweight permit, the truck must be licensed for its maximum allowable license weight
• Charge accounts need a surety bond of at least $1,000

Give the make, model and serial number when hauling construction equipment such as draglines, cranes, dozers, backhoes and tractors.

Louisiana's oversize permits and the heavy-equipment annual:

• Oversize: $10 per day or per trip
• Monthly oversize: $10 per valid day; up to 90′ long, 12′ wide, 14′4″ high, 30′ overhang
• Yearly oversize: $500; up to 90′ long, 12′ wide, 14′4″ high, 25′ front or rear overhang
• Annual overweight (heavy equipment): $2,500; up to 120,000 lb, 14′4″ H, 12′ W, 90′ L, 25′ rear overhang; register a route before each move

A mobile home that is oversize but not overweight gets a single-trip permit good for up to 72 consecutive hours, with no extensions.

• Eaves up to 6″ on each side don't count toward width
• If holidays block movement during the 3 days, days are added